Q: 71SB lowered frontend, tires rubbing on fenders

[maney]

Hey all,

I have a '71 Super that I am (slowly) trying to restore into a stock looking mild custom. So far I've done the engine work, added four wheel disc brakes, braided stainless steel brake lines, all new urethane bushings, front and rear anti-sway bars and lowered the front end about 1.5" to improve the handling.

With the front end lowered, and still running stock wheels and tires (165R15), I've got some rubbing going on at extreme turns (or when I've got a lot of weight in the car/trunk). I've also got some whining in the steering (sounds like a dry power steering pump, but there's no power steering) and a clunk from up front when I hit the brake pedal (only happens when I hit the brakes, but doesn't happen every time I hit the brakes). No steering shakes or shimmies (at least not until the front end starts to lift off at about 70).

It's now time to start into the cosmetic work and I think I'm going to start with wheels and tires since that would also solve the steering and rubbing problems. I know that I either: need smaller/narrower tires/wheels; or wheels with a smaller offset; or wider fenders; or some combination. The problem is that I don't know which direction to take or how to figure out what combination I need. Does anyone have any suggestions? What information do I need to get from the car and how do I use it to figure out what I need?

fpsm

[TitoRay]

17x7 ET 40mm with 205/40 tires fits perfect. Go from there. Stock wheels have an unusual offset, something like 15mm. I had 195/50's on 15 inch chrome smoothies and they rubbed like mad before I changed to larger wheels. No more rubbing.